Lighting system



Patented Feb. 20, 194

v LIGHTING SYSTEM Richard K. Squires, ,Oaklanm Calif., assignor of e one-half( to` Walter T. 1 Sconyers, Oakland, i

Calif.

applicati-[sangue 29, 193s, `serial No. 2272380 r `14` claims. (01."40-130) This invention relates to lighting Asystems and is concerned more particularly with the provision of `means for providing a novel lighting` effect which is particularlyuseful in displayingindicia such ashouse numbers, names oradvertising matter.` t .t y

It isa general object of the ,invention to pro- Videfa novelmethod of illumination. l

Another ob'ect of the invention is to provide luminous gas as a source of light.` t i v i Another object ofthe invention is to provide a display device which can be readily adjusted to display the indicia from different sides.

x Another object `of the invention isto provide improvedindicia displayingmeans embodying a display means of a simple and inexpensive constructionV which can vbe economically manufactured and assembled.

Other objects of the invention will Iappnearirom the following description of a preferred embodi.-` the, accompanyment thereof as illustrated in ing drawing, in which: f' 4 Fig. 1 is a sectional,elevationy ofxa` house nume.

ber sign embodying the invention.' Y

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional View ofthe sign taken in the plane of the linel 2 2 infFig'. l.

, Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrate ing modified form of lens construction.

fzlf'ig. 4 is also a. fragmentary 4sectionabViewvk showing a third form` of thev lens, co'iuitriiction.` Generally, the lighting system of my invention f provides for a` novel and attractive, lighting effect 3 prising base lll having, U-shapedtransformen by modifying `the light,.produced` by agaseous discharge device such as a neonf tube, `and the modification is ypreferably eiiectedby both diffusing and magnifyingtheilight. In the embodiment disclosed, the lighting system is 'employedto display indicia, such as a house number, `and the structure incorporates several advantageous features'` contributing vto ready `adjustrfnent of lthe sign as to the indicia tobe displayed, and` with reference to its location and the place fromwhioh 1 it is seen, as well in providing for economical V manufacture and assembly of the sign. y y

v"Referring to Figs. `l and 2, the` display sign y embodying my invention includes a framecorm easing l l mounted thereon between respective end plates i2, which are seated on base Stand at their upper ends support display cylinder itl kfor t rotative adjustment in a manner later described.

Preferably, base lll, casing ll andend plates i2 are molded from opaque plastic materia-lanciare constructed to providefor assembly thereof without the: use of special.fastening screwsgor bolts.

lofanopaque plastic material 'and one or more cylindricalsurface thereof. Tovprovide anvinter- I notches 25;

l dinal flanges Il formed along the walls offcasing il, whereby casing `H isv assembledv enbase il) bypressing thesidewalls 'thereof inwardly' so that flangesil can enter slots 16,and3-th`en pers-` mitting the Walls to spring outwardly to their normal position'when iianges l l move into interlocking engagement with they `underecut portions ofthe slots i6. End plates l2 havefrespective ilangesl l'conforming with the stepped transverse contour of casing Il, and 'dimensioned toprovide a press-nt withinthe walls of the casingwith the outer surfacefof thecasing in `flush relation with 15 the adjacentsurface of theend plates.` Because of the ystepped contour` of the casing side Walls` and the iiangesk I8 'and the nseating of the end plates on the base, end plates vare heldk securely against movement in all directions except longitudinally of casing IVI u i End plates l2 `are provided `at their outer ends with facing annular flanges 2 5 providing bear,-

of the cylinder relative to'the end plates. It will 25 be seen Athat the `operationmof engaginghend plates l2 with `casing ll also Serves` `toefectv engagement of the end plates with the cylinder. Cylindery I3 comprisesla cylinder segment 23 lenssegments Zflinounted in side by'side4 relation "between theedges of cylinder` segment 23 and formedto provide `a continuation, of the locking connection betvveenthe edges of cylin- 35 der Vsegment 23. and lens segments TM, the edges of the lens segments are provided withV-shaped notches :25 to receive the rcomplenientarv bevelled edges oi segmentsv 23,.,an'd` segment 23 is formed with a `slightly greater radius than the vouter surface of lens segments 24 so'that segmenti@` must be sprung inwardly `to engage.within `the y Extending axially through cylinder t3 is a source of light which is preferably agaseous discharge tube 26 `which has its ends removably positioned in similarrecesses 2l .of `endplates l2..` nach end of nube 2c is montaet with strip 4 28 of conducting materialwhich is molded mand extends dowrnvardlyy thru 'plate l2 `and `is oo n- 5 nected by wire 29 witha t'erminaltransformer 3l! suitablymounted within casing El onI base, l!!k as by fastening screws 3l. Apertures `:itin base lll provide for theentry oi-` asuitable connectiony fromk a sourceof current `tothe transformer.

Base lli is provided with suitable apertures 33 by means oi which it may. be mounted on a bracket or wall so as to display the sign, and it will be noted that by virtue of the rotative adjustment of the cylinder the sign canbe moved to any desired angle to display the lighted lens segments. i'

The lens segment may be formed' of atransparent molded plastic, glass or other suitable material, and preferablyr have the characters or indicia, such as numerals 3E, formed as molded depressions which may be filled with enamel or other suitable opaque or semi-opaque material. The inner surface ofk the lens segments is preferably serrated as indicated at .36 to provided a light diffusing means. Ii desired the lens segment may be ooncavo-convex as shown in Fig. 2,

plano-convex as shown in Fig. 3, or double-con- Vex as shown in Fig. 4. In some instances where the lens is closely adjacent the tube as shown in Fig, 4, ior example, reflecting surface 3l may be provided on cylinder. segment 23 to insure an even light distribution over'the lens surface.

By the combination oi the gaseous discharge tube, which is preferably of the luminous tube type withk a diffusing and magnifying means, there is produced a novel light eiect which produces an even glowing appearance throughout the surface of the lens without any noticeable diierence in the intensity of the light and without the neon tube itself being distinguishable. In addition, the provision of individual lens segments in the cylinder provides for easy installation of any desired indie-ia such as house numbers, although-the entire lens may be made in one piece if desired. By Yvirtue of the rotative adjustment of the display `cylinder about the lighty source, the indicia to be displayed can be easily adjusted to a desired position.V so that ,the .sign willr be visible from the desired angle.

While I have shown and describedapreierred embodiment of. the invention, it isto be understood that thev invention is capable of both variation and modication from the form shown. The

scope of the invention, therefore, should bev limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto. ,y l.

I, therefore, claim as my invention: v

l. In a lighting system, a base having parallel slots therein, one side of each slot being underout to provide a locking recess,a U-shaped casing having resilient side walls with edges iiangedv to engage in said recesses and maintain the casing in place by virtue of the resilient action of said walls, lend plates' on said base and having a pressiit with the ends of said casing, an indicia displaying cylinderfsupported for rotative adjustment between said plates, and a gaseous discharge tube extending through said cylinder and having its ends supported in',` said plates.

2. Ina lighting system, a base having parallel slots therein, one sideof each slot'being undercut'to provide a locking recess, a U-shaped casing having `resilient side walls withedges anged to engage in said recesses and maintain the casing in place by virtue of the resilient action of said walls, end plates on said base and having a pressfit with the ends of said casing, an indicia displaying cylinder supported for rotative adjustment between said plates, a gaseous discharge tube extending through said cylinder and having its ends supported in said plates, a transformer within said casing, land electrical connec-tions between said transformer and said tube including conducting elements embedded in said end plates.

4. In a lighting system, a base having parallel slots therein, one side of each slot being undercut toprovide a locking recess, a U-shaped casing having resilient side walls with edges flanged to engage .in said recesses and maintain the casing in place by virtue of the resilient action of said walls, end plates on said base and having a presst with the ends of said casing, aligned bearings in said end plates, a cylinder having its ends journalled in said bearings to form the sole support therefor, said cylinder including an opaque cylindrical segment and lens means disposed between and having interlocking connections with the edges of said' segment, and a tubular light source extending through saidcylinder and havl ing its ends supported in said plates.

5. In a lighting system= 'indicia for disp-lay, light magnifying means for outlining said indicia from the rearward side thereof, a rod-like source of lightiadj acent said magnifying means, and light diiusingmeans between. said light source and said magnifying means.

6. In a lighting system, indicia for display, tubular supporting means for said indicia including magnifying lens means for outlining said indicia, and a rod-like source of light disposed within said supporting means in axial alignment, whereby adjustment of said supporting means about said axis does not varythe relation between said light source and said lens.

'7. In a lighting system, indicia for display, tubular supporting means for said indicia including a tubular opaque segment and lens means having. interlocking connections with the edges of said. segment, said lens means serving to outline said indicia, and a source of light disposed within lsaid supporting means.

8. In a lighting system, a lens having an axis of curvature, indicia associated with said lens for outlining-by light transmitted through said lens, a gaseous discharge tube disposed parallel to said axis of curvature in symmetrical relation to said lens for transmitting light through said lens, and light diiusing means between said tube and said lens.

V 9. In a lighting system, a lens having indicia on one surface thereof, a gaseous discharge tube adjacent the other surface of said lens for transmitting light through said lens, and light diffusing means formed on said other surface of said lens.

l 10. In a lighting system, a frame, a cylinder mounted for rotative adjustment on said frame having an opaque portion and an indicia bearing i transparent portion, and a source of light supfor rotative adjustment in said bearing portions, said cylinder comprising an opaque segment and indicia bearing lens means mounted thereon, and a source of light extending through said cylinder and supportedvby said frame.

13. In a lighting system, a frame having aligned spaced apart bearing portions, a cylinder mounted for rotative adjustment in said bearing portions, said cylinder comprising an opaque segment and indicia bearing lens means mounted thereon, an electrically voperated, source of light extending through said cylinder and supported by said frame, and electrical connectingjmeans for said source of light carried by saidl frame for operative engagement With the `terminals of said source of light upon mounting thereof. y

14. In a lighting system, tubular display means including a 1ight-transmitting Ymagnifying seg ment and an opaque segment having their 'edges in interlocking engagement, and a source of light disposed Within said display means. 

